Lavish banquet fetes royal couple

Rokiah Mahmud

His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Duli Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha binti Al-Marhum Pengiran Pemancha Pengiran Anak Haji Mohamed Alam graced the Persantapan Diraja ceremony yesterday evening.

The royal banquet was held at Balai Persantapan (Banquet Hall), Istana Nurul Iman to celebrate the newly-wed – Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Suami Abdullah Nabil Mahmoud Al-Hashimi.

Also accompanying Their Majesties were His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah binti Pengiran Haji Salleh Ab Rahaman; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah binti Pengiran Haji Bolkiah; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen; His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel; His Royal Highness Prince Mohamed Bolkiah and Her Royal Highness Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Zariah; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Bini Hajah Faizah binti Dato Haji Nasir; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Jefri Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati binti Pengiran Jaya Negara Pengiran Haji Abdul Rahman; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Majeedah Nuurul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Hafizah Sururul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess ‘Azemah Ni’matul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Ameerah Wardatul Bolkiah; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam and other members of the royal family.

Datin Paduka Seri Dayang Hajah Mariam binti Haji Abdul Aziz and parents of the royal groom, Nabil Mahmoud Abdulkadir Al-Hashimi and Hana Mohamed Yonis also attended.

His Highness Tunku Idris Iskandar Ismail Abdul Rahman ibni Sultan Ibrahim, the Tunku Temenggong of Johor attended as His Majesty’s guest.

Prior to the start of the ceremony, State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned read Doa Selamat.

Dressed in their finest white dress and suits customary to palace ceremonies, guests comprising state and foreign dignitaries, senior government officials as well as current and former cabinet ministers greeted the royal couple.

Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah was dressed in an elegant blue-silver gown and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Suami Abdullah Nabil Mahmoud Al-Hashimi was dressed in the same colour.

Walking side by side, the royal bride and groom’s entrance inspired awe, and all those present were all smiles as the Banquet Hall filled with excitement. The guests showered their blessings on to the royal couple while enjoying a lavish spread of delicacies, while being entertained by musical performances.

The Istiadat Menutup Gendang Jaga-Jaga and Doa Selamat will be held at Istana Nurul Iman today to mark the conclusion of the 10 days of events for Istiadat Perkahwinan Diraja ceremony between Her Royal Highness Princess Fadzilah Lubabul Bolkiah and Yang Amat Mulia Pengiran Suami Abdullah Nabil Mahmoud Al-Hashimi.